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347Potato Substitution / Stinging Nettles

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James Mathews

Sep 4, 2012

Lady Amma;

As I mentioned in the below recioe, Substitutions are encouraged for the recipe. I am aware that potatoes were not used in the Byzantine Times, however, what would have been a suitable substtitute? Turnips?, Beetroot?, Carrot?, Parsnip?, Taro?, Flower Bulb?, Artichoke?, Cardoon?, Leek?, Courgettes?, Cabbage?, Cauliflower?, Broccoli?, Brussel Sprouts?, or Mushrooms?

Here s another recipe that you can use:

Patina of Stinging Nettles

Use only the light green shoots that grow in the Spring, and later in the year when the plant has been cut back.

Aspicius wrote:

"Pluck the wild stinging nettle when the sun is in the sign of the ram and use against sickness as you wish. (Ap. 102)

He also gives a recipe:

Warm or cold patina of stinging nettle: Take the stinging nettles, wash them, allow to drain and leave to dry on a board. Chop finely. Grind 6.8 grams of pepper, moisten with garum and stir. Add 90 ml of garum and 164ml of oil. Bring to a boil in a pot. Once it has boiled, remove from pot and leave to cool. Then oil a patina pan. Break 8 eggs and beat them. Put everything in the patina pan and place in the hot ashes so that it is heated both above and below. When it is cooked, sprinkle ground pepper over it and serve.

Respectfully;

Marcus Audens

On Sep 3, 2012, at 9:35 PM, Amma Doukaina wrote:

Since potatoes weren't part of the Byzantine diet, I think I'll keep that one out, but I will add in that mustard recipe!Thank you! I'm going to have to try to make that mustard!

Columella recommends that the mustard be mixed with ground almonds and

pine kernels.

--Reference:--

Patrick Faas, "Around The Roman Table; Food and Feasting in Ancient

Rome," (U of Chicago Press -- 1994), Page 160

Respectfully;

Marcus Audens

-- Vocatus atque non vocatus, Deus aderit.

Hestia, you who tend the holy house of the lord Apollo, the Far-shooter at goodly Pytho, with soft oil dripping ever from your locks, come now into this house, come, having one mind with Zeus the all-wise, draw near, and withal bestow grace upon my song.-Homer- Hymn 24 to Hestia